Naval Academy To Consider $6M In Golf Course Improvements

Officials of the Naval Academy say they are considering more
than $6 million in renovations to the Naval Academy Golf Club, including
improvements to the course's irrigation system, grass and practice areas.

The Capital of Annapolis reports
the academy is looking at a plan that proposes $4.6 million in improvements to
the golf course, which was designed in 1944 and serves about 600 members and
their spouses. The plan proposes another $1.9 million in improvements to
practice areas and would close the course for four months in 2014.

Part of the academy's 2020 Strategic Plan was to take a look
at upgrades to the golf course. As a result, earlier this year, the academy
commissioned Jessup-based McDonald Golf Inc. to review a golf course
restoration plan that had been completed in 2007. McDonald Golf Inc. delivered
a 44-page revised plan to academy officials two weeks ago, according to
Gladchuk, who has been the athletic director since 2001.

"We're in the midst of evaluating it right now to see
if any dimension of it could be feasible or affordable," Gladchuk said.

Officials say the plan includes a $655,000 reconstruction of
the course's greens including a new hybrid Bermuda grass on the course's
fairways and a new generation of so-called "bentgrass" on the greens.

The course serves the Naval Academy golf team, midshipmen,
faculty and staff as well as active duty and retired military personnel.

Gladchuk says if any work is approved, it will be handled by
the Naval Academy Foundation in conjunction with Naval Academy Golf
Association.